HomeNewsAfricaForeign Affairs Minister: Morocco Is Not Seeking “Markets” in Africa

Foreign Affairs Minister: Morocco Is Not Seeking “Markets” in Africa

Rabat - Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, stated on Thursday that Morocco is not seeking “markets” in Africa and that its interest in the continent is due to its sense of belonging.

Ezzoubeir Jabrane is a master's student at Ain chok Faculty of Letters and Humanities.

Jun 9, 2017

Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, stated on Thursday that Morocco is not seeking “markets” in Africa and that its interest in the continent is due to its sense of belonging.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, hosted Commemoration of Africa Day in the Ministry’s headquarters in Rabat on June 8. The Minister said that Morocco is not seeking “markets” in Africa and that its interest in the continent is not merely opportunistic.

The official pointed out that Morocco’s efforts to establish partnerships with African countries stems from its conviction that it shares a sense of belonging and a common destiny.

Bourita told the African Ministers and Ambassadors who attended the occasion that Morocco’s approach to Sub-Saharan Africa is predicated on a “win-win” orientation, adding that the kingdom presents an integrated view of cooperation with its African environment.

The official explained that Morocco’s view of cooperation is multidimensional and characterized by a multiplicity of advantages that combines economic, developmental, security and counter-extremism, as well as the religious elements.

On this religious component, Bourita recalled that Morocco had helped to train hundreds of African imams and has contributed to the spread of Maliki Islam in African countries.

Bourita also indicated that there are more than 1500 Moroccans in the United Nations’ Peacekeeping forces exclusively in the African continent, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.

60,000 soldiers have participated in peacekeeping operations in Africa since the 1960’s and intervened in 6 African regions, according to the minister.